#50. 황제의 토파즈 [MTL]

[reading @ 35] got artbaited bc they look like cale and alver from tcf but the plots very intriguing, kinda into medieval/fantasy/royalty webtoons recently so it was right up my alley. always into reencounter stories but with different identity (i think thats where we're going with the plot). Also really like the cp so far, very power couple esque, mage and swordsman, sunshine and grumpy kinda vibe (so far). they truly feel like equals. also love the aides. its funny watching topaz travel and solve cases with these rich kids. (note: ch 35 @ kidnapping disappearing case)

36. 内娱第一花瓶 by 三三娘【完结】[MTL]

9/10 [completed] oh an entertainment novel this will be a light read SHE THOUGHT.... honestly didnt know a thing prior to starting this danmei, didnt even read the summary.. and omg is it good.. but so incredibly melancholic, makes me cry. The MC is becoming a fast favorite, hes so effortlessly cool yet timid with no self esteem yet incredibly hard working, and very strong despite the shittiest background like i want to take him away and protect him from any harm. The ML is his oasis, and he tries to resist so hard to not make him fall into the same abyss but cant help himself :(  He's such a three dimensional character and so conflicting like He's a coward but he becomes brave out of love, He looks cold and confident but is terrified of disappointing the ML, He steps away but regrets and is takes the first step at reconciliation, one of my favorite characters in danmei for sure. 

"Sure, go ahead and tell him. It doesn't matter to me. I, Ke Yu, love him. What does my relationship with him have to do with anything? Tell him and see if he cares. If he cares or despises me, I will still love him. If he doesn't care, then I'll thank him and love him even more. If he chooses to keep his distance from me, I'll love him from afar. If he finds me utterly repulsive, I'll love him in my irredeemable state. Weren't you the one begging for my love? Well, go ahead and beg."

idk what to feel about the ML like hes so loved by MC that it makes me root for the CP but god I hate it when the persecutes the MC when hes down like its always the MC that has to give in to him.. like hes genuinely in love with the MC and would would the entire world for him if he could so I only dislike him during moments of confrontation, def the author's fault here bc MLs life is so smooth sailing he gets what he wants literally has no complication in his life hes talented in everything while MC is literally the opposite and idk if ML ever tried to understand MC pov. i dont doubt his affection for the MC but their relationship feels unequal (not so much their love but the way they treat eachother not like hes abusive in anyway but some of the things he said to MC really put a bad taste in my mouth), my feelings for them is just as unequal, I adore the MC and dont care enough about the ML. Not to say any of this is explicitly stated, someone else might come out of this novel with the completely opposite opinion but I could only genuinely like the ML after the extras. Such a good story wouldve been 10/10 if not for authors bias. 

The filmmaking aspect was what hooked me initially so its definately one of the strongest suit of this danmei, and the villains are so well done, some of the most disgusting characters i've read about in a while, yet some of them are so empathetic, like the childhood friend, didnt like him at first but hes done so realistically and never actually means any harm and now im just hoping he find a happy ending too. All the other sidecharacters are also well done I adore MC's little assistant and YY his bestie, and ML's little sister.  

15. 沉舟 by 楚寒衣青  [mtl] 

9.5/10 [completed] love between GCZ, who already went through character development and is at his best vs HHL, whos a crazy antagonist in need of a redemption arc.

dont think ive read anything like this danmei ever! the MC is calm collected and smart, usually this kind of mc in danmei are a hit and miss for me but this time its a big hit, also bc it feels like his personality is earned bc he used to be kind of arrogant before, and also him being very rational plays well into the plot! But HHL as a shou is what really makes this danmei shine, hes batsh*t insane and feels like a villain and causes so much grief to the GCZ, if this was anyother danmei the CP would be GCZ and WXJ, and HHL would the be a hateful antagonist, BUT somehow this GCZ/HHL work well and thats the magic of this Chen Zhou! Really enjoyed reading HHL falling hard for the MC while its the opposite for GCZ its just Tense and Fun. HHL continues being a mess even after they get together like you just feel f*cking bad for both of them.. like thats his illness but also GCZ deserves better but you cant help but feel relieved that he chooses to love HHL nonetheless, like CZ fr is his salvation ughh HHL makes me cry. 

 // also first time i put this much effort into MTL-ing a danmei, like damn im here going through google translate and deepL and snippet by snippet through chatGPT ... but fr its worth all the effort. One day when I have time Im going to properly MTL and edit this so i can read it again and again.